Current Imaging Techniques in Renal Cell Carcinoma

Renal cancers are one of the 10 most commonly seen cancers in both sexes. The incidence of renal cancers is high in Western developed countries and lower in Eastern and developing countries. The overall incidence of malignancy has been increasing in recent times. Ultrasound (USG) is very commonly used imaging technique; however recent advances like contrast enhanced ultrasound helps to differentiate various cystic renal masses. Availability of newer imaging techniques such as Computed tomography scan (CT scan) and Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and their various applications may play a role in better and early diagnosis of such lesions. Due to its highly metastatic nature, accurate staging is more important to facilitate proper treatment. Fluoro-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET) is widely applied in detection, staging/restaging and surveillance of such lesions. In this chapter, we will try to cover the recent advances in various modalities for detection of renal cancers, particularly renal cell carcinoma (RCC).